By Ernie Smothers smothers@mckenziebanner.com

MCKENZIE (July 13) - One McKenzie patrol car will soon be outfitted with an in-car video system. McKenzie City Council approved the purchase of a Gemini brand audiovisual camera system.

Police Chief Harry Cooper said activation of the blue lights turns the camera on. The patrolman can videotape the events and use the tape as evidence in court. The recorded media will be locked in the trunk of the patrol car, said Cooper. Only two persons will have access to the tape.

Gene Hale, liaison for the Police Department, said the system would help protect the officers. Cooper said a few lawsuits could have been avoided had the system already been in place.

Hale said he hopes camera systems can someday be placed in all the patrol cars.

The camera system costs approximately $4,295 and will be purchased from the Drug Fund.

In a second Police Department matter, the Council approved the solicitation of bids to purchase a portable radar speed trailer, which will indicate motorists' speed on a numeric display. A demonstrator model, used by McKenzie for a few weeks, flashed red and blue lights if the indicated speed was above the posted speed limit.

Hale said the trailer could be used in school zones, along city roads, and in construction zones. A message board can display various messages such as "school zone" or "construction zone." The estimated cost of $12,000 would be split equally with the street, water, and police departments. The Drug Fund would pay the Police Department's share, said Hale.

Chief Cooper said the speed-monitoring trailer could be used to write traffic citations. It would require two officers - one monitoring the sign and another, located in a position to stop the speeding motorist, issuing citations.

Councilwoman Darra Adkins reported 189 rural fire contract had been sold since renewal letters were mailed for the fiscal year, beginning July 1. The Fire Department responds to rural fires within five miles of the station. There is no charge for responses inside the city limits. Residents outside the municipal limits pay $750 with a contract, and $1,500 without a contract.

Councilman Hale questioned if the city should respond to rural fires in which there is no contract since some rural homeowners refuse to pay for the response to their home.

Fire Chief Brian Tucker said the city has some obligations to act, especially in life-threatening situations. He said 90 percent of the charges are collected when a collection letter is mailed threatening collection procedures.

Mayor Walter Winchester thanked Councilwoman Jill Holland for her work on the successful Festival of Freedom celebration. Holland said the Recreation Committee would meet this week to begin planning next year's event.

The Council also honored the accomplishment of 1932 MHS Baseball team. Kermit Holland is the lone survivor of the team. (see separate article).

Councilman Wade Allen was absent.

Detris Willis

Bruceton (July 17) Detris Willis, 17, a highly talented football player for the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Tigers and much beloved by his community, drowned Monday afternoon at approximately 2 p.m. after suffering a cramp while swimming at a gravel pit located on Old highway 70 near Terry Trucking Company in Camden.

Willis had been swimming with several friends in the deep water pool for three to four hours prior to cramping and going beneath the water. According to reports, Willis remained underwater for an undetermined length of time.

Shocked and saddened, Central High School Head Football Coach Tim Gilmer stated to the Jackson Sun, "I know there were people there who were trying to get him out of the water, but he was too big. They weren't able to get him out." He added, "This is like a bad dream that I can't wake up from."

Benton County Rescue Services arrived on scene shortly after being notified and retrieved Willis' body from the pool and transported him to Camden General Hospital.

A standout football player at Central, Willis was selected as an honorable mention member of the Jackson Sun's All-West Tennessee Football Team and was currently being recruited by Ole Miss and Florida State. Willis' older brother, Patrick, is a standout All-American linebacker at Ole Miss. Willis was a member of First Baptist Church in Bruceton.

Central educator and friend Buddy Smothers, notified of Willis' death while visiting family in Foley, Alabama, sadly stated, "Detris was a very good person, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him."

Willis, the son of Ernest Willis and adoptive parents Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Jordan, is survived by sister Ernicka, and brothers Patrick and Orey.

 

Tabitha "Tabbie" Inlow

A one-vehicle collision on Jarrell Road, seven miles south of McKenzie, claimed the life of a 14-year-old girl and seriously injured another young woman.

Tabitha "Tabbie" Inlow, a student at West Carroll Junior/Senior High in Atwood, died at McKenzie Regional Hospital in McKenzie following the 5:20 p.m. accident. She would have celebrated her 15th birthday Saturday.

According to a report filed by Trooper Phillip Steele of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Andrea Marise, 16, of 3100 New Zion Road, McKenzie, was northbound in a 1995 Chevrolet S10 pickup north on Jarrell Road when the accident occurred. The vehicle exited the left side of the road while negotiating a curve, struck a ditch and overturned, ejecting Miss Inlow, the passenger.

Following the accident, Marise walked to a nearby residence to summon help, the trooper said.

Miss Marise was transported by ambulance to McKenzie Regional and then airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. She sustained several fractured ribs and vertebrae and a damaged ligament, according to a family member.

McKenzie Fire and Rescue team responded to the scene as well as Carroll County Sheriff's Department. Rescuers performed CPR on Miss Inlow at the scene.

Inexperience and speed were contributing factors in the accident, said Trooper Steele.

Ironically, authorities were already searching for Marise after her mother placed a call to the sheriff's department at 4:36 p.m. Friday.

According to a report filed by Officer Ricky Wade of CCSO, he was dispatched to 3100 New Zion Road to speak with Elizabeth Marise-Falzarano concerning her daughter, Andrea taking her truck without her permission.

Marise-Falzarano told the officer she wanted her daughter charged with theft, according to the report. Wade explained that he could charge her with joyriding.

The woman further told the officer her daughter did not have a driver's license and might have gone to a friend's house on Pace Road. She identified the truck as a blue S10 Chevrolet extended cab.

Wade told Marise-Falzarano that officers would search Pace Road and then split up and look for the truck.

Miss Inlow resided at 1518 Pace Road with her mother and stepfather, Donna and Alex Fullmer of McKenzie. She is also survived by her father and stepmother, Larry and Patty Inlow of Paris, a sister, Amanda Pillow of Big Sandy, a brother, Jim Bob Inlow of Charleston, South Carolina, and a stepbrother Mickey Wheatley of Camden. She leaves her grandparents, David and Pat Fullmer of McKenzie, Floyd and JoAnn Resinger of McKenzie, Faye Inlow and Ruby Shankle, both of Paris.

Tabitha would have entered ninth grade at West Carroll High School in August. She was a member of the West Carroll Band, and a member of Terry Community softball team, The Dragonflies.

"It was a shock to us. She was a sweet girl," said West Carroll Elementary Principal Travis Carter. "Her mother was an active member and officer in the PTO. She (Tabitha) was a good, all around student."

"We are deeply saddened by her death and extend sympathy to the family," he added.

Tabitha was a member of First Baptist Church in McLemoresville and a member of the McLemoresville Baptist Church Youth Group and the Jones Chapel Baptist Youth Group in Paris.

Youth minister Kevin Gallimore conducted funeral services for Tabitha Monday at 10 a.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home in Paris.

"She was very committed in her Christian life," said Gallimore. "She was a very loving young lady. She will be deeply missed by our youth group and our church as a whole."

The family requests memorial contributions be sent to 4th Day Ministry, C/0 Dennis Mitchell, 6470 E. Main Street, Trezevant, TN 38258.

HUNTINGDON (July 14) - Despite scorching temperatures and a sudden thunderstorm, this year's South Carroll Relay for Life still proved a memorable night for all in attendance. As of Monday, July 17, $145,708.15 has been raised to support cancer awareness and research.

In its seventh year, this year's event was led by new chairperson Vicki Myers, taking over the position from Dr. Tim Tucker and Dr. Lee Carter, who chaired the event for its first six years. About 120 cancer survivors attended the all-night event, Myers said.

Honorary co-chairs this year were cancer survivors Lynn Boothe of Huntingdon and Sylvia Whitaker of Clarksburg. Addressing the crowd, the women each spoke of their personal battles with cancer.

"It totally devastates you and you become dependent on doctors, nurses, and medicine," Boothe said. "You are afraid of the unknown, and wonder what you did to deserve this."

Both women described how decades ago few treatment options existed for cancer patients, and expressed their appreciation at events like Relay for Life, which helped further treatment research.

The traditional Survivor Walk begins.

"So many cancer programs have advanced since the 1980s," Whitaker said. "And little good things can always come out of bad ones. Live your life to the fullest and enjoy every day!"

During opening ceremonies, Myers and Tucker honored several individuals. JoMeagan Mansfield, a Huntingdon High School graduate and cancer survivor, received the $1,000 American Cancer Society scholarship for the second year in a row.

Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelley was recognized for the more than $12,000 donation by the Dale Kelley Officiating Alliance, a corporate sponsor combining four basketball conferences (Big 12, Conference USA, SunBelt, and Southland) and BellSouth. The Alliance served as a platinum corporate sponsor for the event.

Huntingdon Middle School were named the 2006 Grand Champions, raising $23,185. Other top monetary winners included: Business/Industry - First Place, Baptist Memorial Hospital ($7,797.29); Second Place, Carroll Bank and Trust ($1,960.25); Third Place, Huntingdon Health and Rehabilitation Center ($1,926.00). Church - First Place, Huntingdon Church of Christ ($12,122.32); Second Place, First United Methodist Church, Huntingdon ($10,498.97); Third Place, First Baptist Church, Huntingdon ($7,265.32). Community - First Place, Huntingdon Middle School ($23,185.00); Second Place, Blood, Sweat and Gears ($6,270.43); Third Place, Town of Huntingdon ($1,033.50).

Other team award winners were as follows: Best Campsites: Business/Industry - First Place, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Huntingdon; Second Place, Wal-Mart; Third Place, Huntingdon Health and Rehabilitation Center. Church - First Place, First United Methodist Church, Bruceton; Second Place, Huntingdon Church of Christ; Third Place, First Baptist Church, Huntingdon. Community - First Place, Blood, Sweat and Gears; Second Place, Town of Huntingdon.

Top Luminary Sales: First Place, First Baptist Church, Huntingdon; Second Place, First United Methodist Church, Huntingdon; Third Place, Huntingdon Church of Christ.

Best Food: Dessert - First Place, First United Methodist Church, Bruceton (hot fudge cake); Second Place, Blood, Sweat and Gears (deep fried Snickers); Third Place, First Baptist Church, Bruceton (hurricanes). Side Dish - First Place, Wal-Mart (grilled cabbage); Second Place, Huntingdon Middle School (green beans); Third Place, Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church (white beans, slaw hush puppies). Entrrst Place, Huntingdon Middle School (chicken and dressing); Second Place, First Baptist Church, Bruceton (Cajun kabobs); Third Place, Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church (catfish).